A fresh crisis has erupted in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the replacement of several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya faction for elective positions in Kano State.
Kano Times gathered that the party leadership approved a revised list of candidates after enforcing an alleged 60/40 power-sharing arrangement between the original NDC structure and the Kwankwasiyya bloc.
The decision was contained in a document signed by the Kano State Chairman of the party, Hussaini Isah Mairiga, and copied to the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the North-West Zonal Chairman.
Under the revised list for House of Representatives seats, Barrister Isma’il Idris Sani was approved for Kumbotso, Nasiru Ali Ahmed for Nassarawa, Kabiru Ishaq Sa’id for Kano Municipal, Barrister Dayyabu Jamilu Ibrahim for Doguwa/Tudun Wada, Muhammad Hamisu Abubakar for Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Ibrahim Bashir Bango for Sumaila/Takai, and Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mairigar Fata for Gwale Federal Constituency.
The party also effected changes in some State House of Assembly constituencies, including Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo and Dawakin Kudu.
Sources within the party said the reshuffle followed the implementation of a 60/40 sharing formula, which allocates 60 per cent of elective positions to the Kwankwasiyya bloc and 40 per cent to the original NDC structure.
However, the development has reportedly angered Kwankwaso and his loyalists, who insist that the affected candidates were duly nominated.
A source close to the former governor told Kano Times that Kwankwaso may reconsider his membership of the party if the decision is not reversed.
“Senator Kwankwaso is unhappy with the changes. He believes the candidates submitted by his group were legitimately nominated and should not be replaced without consultation,” the source said.
The source added, “If the party leadership fails to restore the affected candidates and respect previous agreements, Kwankwaso may have no option but to leave the NDC.”
As of the time of filing this report, the NDC leadership had yet to officially respond to the threat.
